Lifting device

Abstract

A lifter for emptying a container into a cavity of a vehicle. The lifter has a first plate pivotally connected to the vehicle, and a second plate extending at an angle from the first plate. The lifter has a third plate slidably mounted on the second plate, with the third plate having a pair of hooks to grasp bars on the container. The lifter moves between a first lower position beneath the truck to a second upper position with the container located above the cavity to empty the container into the cavity.

We claim: 
     
       1. Receptacle dumping apparatus attachable to a refuse collection vehicle of the type having a refuse receiving cavity including sidewalls and a floor extending upwardly to a lower still edge, said dumping apparatus comprising: a receptacle lifter comprising means for capturing and releasing a portion of a receptacle;   means for pivotally mounting said receptacle lifter below the sill edge of the refuse collection vehicle;   means for moving said lifter between a first lifter position and a second lifter position, said lifter being located substantially entirely below a horizontal plane tangent to said sill edge and substantially entirely on the cavity side of a vertical plane tangent to said sill edge when in said first position, wherein lateral access to the sill edge from a side of said vertical plane opposite said refuse receiving cavity is substantially obstructed, and said lifter being located above the sill edge when in said second position, for dumping a receptacle;   said means for capturing and releasing said receptacle portion comprising first and second projections, at least one of said first and second projections being movable between a capture position for capturing said receptacle portion therebetween and a release position for releasing said receptacle portion;   means cooperatively associated with said lifter moving means and said capture and release means for moving said capture and release means to said capture position as said lifter is moved from said first position to said second position and for moving said capture and release means to said release position as said lifter is moved from said second position to said first position.   
     
     
       2. Receptacle dumping apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said second projection on said lifter so as to accommodate receptacle portions of various heights. 
     
     
       3. Receptacle dumping apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second projection is a plate movably attached to said lifter. 
     
     
       4. Receptacle dumping apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second projection further comprises a plurality of spaced attachment points for selective attachment of said means for moving said capture and release means. 
     
     
       5. Receptacle dumping apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a third projection on said lifter for engaging another portion of said receptacle. 
     
     
       6. A refuse collection vehicle comprising: means defining a refuse receiving cavity, including side walls and a lower wall extending upwardly to a lower sill edge;   a receptacle lifter movably mounted below said sill edge, said lifter including means for capturing a portion of a selected type of receptacle;   means cooperatively associated with said lifter for moving said lifter between a first lifter position and a second lifter position, said lifter being located substantially entirely below a horizontal plane tangent to said sill edge and substantially entirely on the cavity side o a vertical plane tangent to said sill edge when in said first position, whereby the area below and outwardly of said sill edge is substantially unobstructed by said lifter and lateral access to the sill edge from a side of said vertical plane opposite said means defining a refuse receiving cavity, for moving other types of containers and the like into close association with the sill edge, is substantially unimpaired, and said lifter being located above and outwardly of said sill edge when in said second position for dumping a selected type of receptacle;   said means for capturing a portion of a selected type of receptacle being movable between a capture position for capturing a portion of the selected type of receptacle and a release position for releasing the receptacle portion; and   means cooperatively associated with said lifter moving means and said capture means for moving said capture means between said release and capture positions as said lifter moves between said first and second positions.   
     
     
       7. A refuse collection vehicle in association with claim 6 wherein said lifter is pivotally mounted below the sill edge, and said means for moving said lifter comprises a first link pivotally attached to said lifter, means defining an arc along which a portion of said first link may move, and means for moving said first link along said arc and thereby pivot said lifter between said first and second positions, and wherein said means for moving said capture means comprises a second link attached to said first link and to said capture means and adapted to move said capture means between said release and capture positions as said lifter moves between said first and second positions. 
     
     
       8. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second link is attached to said first link so as to move toward or away from said capture means as said lifter moves between said first and second positions. 
     
     
       9. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and second links are pivotally attached at a location spaced from a line connecting the point of pivotal attachment of said first link to said lifter and said portion of said first link which may move in an arc. 
     
     
       10. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said means defining an arc comprises a third link pivotally attached to said vehicle and to said second link. 
     
     
       11. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for moving said lifter comprises an arcuate link pivotally attached to said lifter and another link pivotally attached to said vehicle and to said arcuate link, and wherein said means for moving said capture means includes a rod pivotally attached to said capture means and to said arcuate link, said arcuate link and said rod being pivotally attached at a point spaced from a line connecting the points of attachment of said arcuate link to said lifter and to said other link. 
     
     
       12. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 6 wherein said lifter further comprises first and second plates fixedly joined at an interior obtuse angle, said first plate being pivotally attached to said vehicle below said sill edge, and said second plate carrying said capture means, said means for moving said lifter being cooperatively attached to said first plate and adapted to move said plates to said first position wherein said second plate is located below and inwardly of said sill edge to permit unimpaired access to said sill edge.   
     
     
       13. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 12 wherein said means for moving said lifter comprises a first link pivotally attached to said first plate, means defining an arc along which a portion of said first link may move, and means for moving said first link along said arc thereby moving said lifter between said first and second positions, and wherein said means for moving said capture means comprises a second link attached to said first link and to said capture means and adapted to move said capture means between said release and capture positions as said lifter moves between said first and second positions. 
     
     
       14. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 13, wherein said second link is attached to said first link so as to move toward or away from said capture means, as said lifter moves between said first and second positions. 
     
     
       15. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 13, wherein said means defining an arc comprises a third link pivotally attached to said vehicle and to said second link. 
     
     
       16. A refuse collection vehicle in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first and second links are pivotally attached at a location spaced from a line connecting the point of pivotal attachment of said first link to said lifter and said portion of said first link which may move in an arc.